AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My throat closed up. “Thanks, man,” I grunted, almost unable to speak.
“Awright, awright,” James crowed behind us. “Break up the love fest so I can get a photo for social media.”
I laughed and, as three brothers we toasted his camera, our staff in the background, cheering.
“That’s Insta gold, right there,” James cooed with glee as he scrolled through the photos on his phone. “I’ll schedule it for tomorrow night.”
James was a perfect fit for his marketing and engagement role. Robert easily mingled, shaking hands and talking to our staff.
And then, me. The black sheep standing to the side, watching everything. The one who didn’t fit in.
I should feel proud of this moment; so much had been risked and so many had worked hard to see this through to the first tasting. The last five years of my life came down to the whisky, theuisge beatha- the ‘water of life’, swirling in my glass.
But my eyes sought out Amanda, who talked animatedly with the accounts staff and Ewan from the warehouse. Whenever I saw Amanda, I saw the rest of my years.
I staggered at the thought.
James clapped on my back. “Ye right there?”
“Ehm, yeah, fine,” I wheezed. “I’m fine.”
James gave me a look that suggested I was crazy, as Amanda appeared by my side.
“Hey, you okay? Trouble with your knee or tailbone?”
Staring into her eyes, I was speechless.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.
“Nothing.” I wheezed, before clearing my throat. “Nothing at all.”
I ran a finger down her arm, the same way I’d touched her at George’s the night we’d met. I was breaking a rule, touching her in front of others. She watched but didn’t stop me.
“I’m content. I haven’t felt like this, well, ever.”
“Because of the whisky? You should be proud. It’s a wonderful drink. I love it.”
“Not just the whisky.”
I felt her tremble under my hand.
“People will see you touching me.”
“Let them.”
My words were a challenge as well as a declaration.
She took a step back and my hand fell away. “Sometimes in the office or when we go for a walk, I forget that we can’t touch and we need to be careful. And I find myself reaching for you and I have to stop myself.”
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself just now.” The rest of my years… The words echoed in my mind. “There’s hardly a moment I don’t think about ye, hen.”
“Since we last saw each other at lunch,” Amanda bit her lip and leaned in. “I sent you an urgent spreadsheet just before this meeting. Have you had a chance to check it and make suggestions for further action?”
“Spreadsheets? C’mon, ye two!” Robert roared in my ear and we both jumped. Robert draped his arm around my shoulder and raised his glass to us. “It’s a celebration, not actually a work meeting.”
“Aye, okay. Thank ye.” I shrugged off his arm and Robert swaggered over to his wife, accepting a kiss before swooping his baby into his arms and making faces.
Does Amanda want children?
